Paper-presser for type-writers.



No. 826,486. PATBNTED JULY 17, 1906..

PAPERV PRESSER FOR TYPE WRITERS.

Arrmouxox r1Lnn rn3 .'19 .-19o4.

s SHEETS-'SHEET 1.

wnNEssEs: J :N1/1121111111 @WWM M 'W7 lili ATTORNEY.

No. 826,436. I PA'1P..`L\V[`ED JULY I7, 1906.

' G. W. DONNING.

PAPER PRESSER POR TYPE WRITERS.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.19, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY No. smse. V PATBNTEDJULY 17, 19063 G. W. DONNING..

`PAPER PRBs'sER: PoR TYPE WRITERSL I APPLIOATION FILED FBB.19. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' swentoz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE W. DONNING, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORJIO .HARRY T. AMBROSE, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

PAPER-MESSER Fon 'TYPE-'WHITERs Specification of Letters Patenti Patented .my 17, i906. f

Application led February 19, 1904. Serial N0. 194.396-

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that I, GEORGE W. DoNNINe,

a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and will -enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a movable paper holding orpressing device for Hat-platen type-writers whereby the paper 1,'5 .sheet is maintained and held in close contact with the platen or with other sheets of paper at the printing-point and along the printingline, and thereby preventingr creeping or bulging ofthe paper at the printing-point, so that as each imprint by. the typeis made there will be no blurring or misplaeing of the letter printed. In type-writers of this class where the paper to be written on is laid flat upon the platen or impression-surface, even where the said paper is closely held to the platen at its edge or edges, as by appropriate clamping devices or Work-holders, there is usually an objectionable air-space formed between. the paper and the platen or between several 'layers of paper at any point of the platen removed from the clamps, and this air-'space develops and increases as the successive blows are delivered by the type in printing. Although this air-space may perhaps be absentA when the sheet is first laid on the platen, yet if this air-space is formed, however minute, the successive blows ofthe type will tend to cause the paper to creep and frequentlyto such an extent that unless the paperused be very heavy and stiff it will ave a tendency to buckle and move far enough from its original location seriously to interfere with the proper alinement, finish, and appearance ofthe written page. -It has been observed in the use of this class of machines that the creeping, blurring, and buckling of the paper develop much more rapidly after the Writing has been well started than -it does at first when the sheets of paper lie comparatively close together. It is therefore obvious that could the several sheets of -between the paper and the platen or im- `or writing-surface, also the moving frame of a downwardly actlng Wmting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4. modiiication of the form shown in Fig. 4, an

multiple of sheets, be kept in close contact with the platen the creeping would be entirely prevented. To thls end, therefore, I have constructed a device to be attached to and used with a writing-machine and which will during the downward stroke of the t ebar and in advance of the actual blow o the type upon the paper be moved to bear down on the paper at or near the printing-point and expel any air which may lie` there at that point .between the several sheets of paper or pression-surface. l

It will be manifest in view of the accompanying description and drawings that the invention is capable of various modifications and that the desired result may be attained in several specific ways; but I have illustrated and described only my preferred embodiment of the most simple and easily applied of the many forms which' have occurred to me.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, and in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective, showing a portion of the flat platen adapted to move thereover for printing upon paper laid flat upon said platen, and also a simple form of my invention mounted thereon, the several detail parts of the writing mechanism being omitted to avoid confusion. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, showing my improved paper-presser A' mounted upon a movable support, with W'luch it moves. Fig. 3 is a view in plan of the under side of the ribbon-guide upon which I elect to dispose and attach the presser device." v Fig. 4 shows a modified form of the presser device, the same being disposed independent of' the ribbon-guide. Fig. 5 is a detached 95 view in plan of the presser device in the form Fig. 6 illustrates. a

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing .the wtit-y ing-mechanism support carrying the paperpresser mounted for longitudinal and lateral movement.

In the drawings, A represents a flat platen and the support of" the Writir'ig mechanism of paper be kept in actual contact each with the a flat-platen type-Writer capable of 'being :o5 Others and the whole mass of paper, one or a s' moved over the` platen withA 'a step-by-step movement to permit the printing thereon of `characters to form words, sentences, and

i mechanism is provided for by hanging support B, by means of rollers It, from transverse guiding-rods T, carried by standards S'. These latter are designed to travel longi'vudinally or track-rails Pto enable the writing mechanism to pass from one line of writing to another. .These constructions, which are not in themselves new with the present application, are illustrated, to some lies at some distance above the universal bar,

and tlmrcfore the type-bar begins its down- "ward movement before the actuation of the riblnm-guide and I aper-p'resser, yet the connections of the parts are such and the disvtam-.es traveled by the type-bar and paperpresser arel so proportioned that the latter contacts th the paper before the impact of the type. liever W" may be used as a spacing-lever.

rln this class of machines the ribbon D is interposed r-etvv'een the printing mechanism and the paper laid on the platen, so that as each type is tl-irown downward te print it will in the usual manner press the ink-ribbon 'u pon the paper to cause an impression to be made. ln the more modern `forms of .machines in this class the hiking-ribbon is preferably led through a ribbon-guide C, Fig. V1, which guide is arran 7ed and connected to the universal seeing-liar C', by which it is caused to vi rate or tilt at each depressionof the type-bar, so that as the ty e isthrown down to print the ink-ribbon wi l` be lowered or advanced to lie over the printing-point where the type must strike and when the type-bar has been impressed land is Withdrawn the ribbon will be raised or removed therewith from the printing-peint to render the printed work visible to the operator. llerein I make no specific claim to the said ribbon-guide nor the nanner of operating the .ame by iieans of the type-bar-actu,ating mechanism, since this is a sep: tte invention and constitutes subject-matter in my )ending application, 'filed May 15, 1902, lerial No. 1517 ,471; but in referring thereto I wish to be understood as .indicating a form of de vice and its 'manner of operating towhich the present invention is jxirticularlyapplil downwar( seaese cable, and in which device of said other application (Serial No. 107,471) there are means disclosed for o erating the ribbonguide in connection with which the device p lother appropriate part which is operated in the depression of eachtype-bar, and thus move the ribbon-guide C to a position imme. diately over the printing-point of the machine at each stroke of a ty e-bar to print.

Upon the ribbon-guide I preferin some instances, as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, to dis ose a presser-arm F, preferably formed o thin spring metal and attached `to or formed as a part of the ribbon-guide C and formed in the shape of a yoke, so that" it will surround the printing point, and it' is preferably bent and bowed, as shown in Fig. 2, to.v cause .it to bear with resilient force upon the writing-surface when the guide is in its lowered position for permitting the ribbon to receive the blow of the type to print. I prefer to cut away the forward portionof `the presserarm F to form a forked or yoKe'l plate, as shown, so that it may bear on each side and at the rear of the'printing-point, though of course, 'as will be observed, it may be made circular in form and entirely surround the printing-point. It may readily be ribbon-guide C the spring presser-arm F carried thereby will bear down on the paper at or near to the pr ing-point and'cause it to lie llat and in close contact with the platen. By disposing the pressenarm F upon the traveling carriage it is manifestthat as the machine is moved to print or is moved from' line to line the presser-arm will move-with it, and thus always be in position to operate for its intended urpose wherever the carriage is positions for writing. In'lieu, however, of attaehingthe presser-arm to the ribbon-guide, as in Figs. 1, 2, and'3, it may be found convenient to attach it directly to the fulc'rum-plate of support B orother part of the machine, as shown in Fig. 4. As thus disposed itwill preferably always lie near the paper and not be raised intermittingly and may have an upwardly-bent spring, lug, or projection G formed on or attached to its upper surface in position. to be struck by and receive a thrust from the ribbon-guide C each time the latter descends, which thrust ltends .to force the presser arm downwardly and i vagainst the paper to force theair out :from

Figs. i 2, and, and on each member of the yoke are upwardly, laterally, and. 'forwardly projectingarms H Il., Fig. 5,-that is,-'at the l extreme end-s of the forked portion'- ofthe presser-arm F. These arms H are for the urposc" of causing the presser-arm to slide llre'ely'over the edges of any paper that may lie on the platen when the writing mechanism maybe moved back and forth over the platen. I may, .if desirable, also form on the presser-arm F a pointer or index I, which will serve to indicate to the operator theexact point on the paper at which the next letter will' beprinted when the printing mechanism isir'iperated. In order to cause the presserarm to bear against the paper with a cushioned though forcible pressure and at the same time to prevent tearing of the paper, I curve the members of the arm intermediate their ends outwardly toward their bearingsurfaces. This construction has the advantage that there are no projecting ends, sharp i edges, or other portions of the presser-arm relatimi to each other.

to cause lining or blurring from carbons upon sheets beneath.

In all the preferred constructions the presser-arm is actuated to exert pressure against the paper or platen immediately adjacent the printing-point. F or this purpose the presser-arm is located betweeny the ribbon-holding devicesof the ribbon-guide and the members of the arm are placed in close The paper-presser is carried at such a distance below the ribbonguide as to clear the ribbon, thus avoiding j' accumulation of Iink on the arm and its transfer to' the paper. l

' I F g. 6 I have illustrated a further modification of my invention. In this form a transverse blade J is hinged by arms K to frame B and is arranged to lie immediately in front or back of the line being printed. The ribbon-guide C is-so adjusted as to contact with blade J on its downward travel to force air out from beneath the work. In order to prevent the ribbon from contacting with the blade, the ribbon-guide is provided withV spring-fingers F', similar in appearance to presser member F, which contact with the ilade.

In Fig. 1 only so much of the writing mechplaten for letter-spacing by means of tracks T,

upon which the mechanism is hung through 'rollers R. Since the presser member is carried by the ribbon-guide and the latter in turn is mounted on the writing mechanism,

i-t follows that the foot F is transversely movable with thc writing mechanism, as well as partaking of the latter's longitudinal movement for line-spacing. In this way the posi.-

tion of the membervupon the platen is the paper [free changed at each impact of a type, so that the* air is sure to be dispelled beneath each suci cessive printing-point. In order toniaintain 'printing-points, it is necessary that such air rom underlying air at the should be constantly kept in motion away from .the points of impact of thetype.

Hithertc it has been proposed absolutel to remove the air-'cushion by means of a fo lower device extending the full width of the platen and in continuous contact with the paper in advance of the printing-point. Tests have proved such an arrangement ineffectual for the purpose.' In the first place such follower structures move over the platen only during line-spacing and are eX- pected eventually to force all the air out under the front edge of the sheet g but it has proved impracticable, especially when mani- -folding, to remove absolutely the air lying upon the platen and between the sheets.

Further, when this method` has been employed it has been found that air is brought in behind the follower, and in consequence around the printing-point, through the loosening of the sheets effected by the type. A ain, demonstration has shown that to be eflective the presser member must contactwith only a very small surface. In the present invention I do not attempt to,remove the I merely dispel'it in' the sense of driving apart from 'beneath,y the printing-` point and force the air from'bne part of the platen while permitting its-access to the re-I,

mainder. By causing thep'resser member to bear against the work immediately adjacent the printing-point and making the contacting portion of small area I succeed in causing the sheets to lie flat and close to the platen just at the printing-point, which of course is allthat is necessary. In order to get the best results, the presser member is constructed so as immediately tc-inclose the printingpoint and is of such reduced dimens1ons.with reference to the platen that it bears u on only a small portion of the latter. It i vious that were the presser-foot, when .depressed, to cover a large space it would displace so much air that some would be driven eneath the descending type, 'forming a cushion at the very point it is essential to avoid one. Moreover, if the foot were as large as indicated so much air would be compressed beneath it that the paper would not be forced into contact-with the platen by the time the type descended.,

Iclaim- 1. Ina writing-machine, the combination of a lflat-platen type-writer, the latter transversely movable for letter-spacing and longi;

tudinally movable for line-spacing; of means for dispelling the air-cushion beneath work upon t e platen, comprising a presser member carried bythe writing mechanism and upon the platen, comprising a flexiblymounted presser member movable transversely with the writing mechanismduring tlic movement thereof for letter-spacing an longitudinally therewith during line-spacing:

and means whereby the presser member 1s actuated to press tlie paper against the platen at or near the printing-point. 4

3. ln a Writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanism of a {lat-platen type-writer, the latter transversely movable for letter-spacing and longitudinally movable for line-spacing of means for dispelling the air-cushion beneath work upon the platen, comprising a flexiblyinounted presser member actuated by the writing mechanism to press Work against the [lat platen at or near the printing-point and transversely and longitudinally movable with the writing mechanism,

4. In a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanismof a Hat-platen type-Writer, the-latter trans-l versely movable for letter-spacing and longitudinally movable for line-spacing; of means for dispelling the air-cushion beneath Work upon. the platen, comprising a flexiblymouiited normally elevated ress er member actuated by the writing mechanism to press work against the flat platen at or near the printing-point just prior to the impact of the type upon the platen, and transversely and longitudinally movable with the writing mechanism during letter and line spacing.

5. .ln a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanism of a flat-platen type-writer, the latter laterally and longitudinally travelin for letter and line spacing respectively; o means for dispelling the air-cushion beneath work upon the platen, comprising a flexibly-mounted' presser member arranged to travel with the writing meclia1nsm during letter and line spacing, and means whereby said membe/ris 'interinittingly actuated during Writing to press work against the fiat platen at -or near the printing-point.

6. .ln a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanism of a .flat-platen type-writer, the latter laterally and longitudinally travelin for' letter and 'line spacing'res ectively; o means for dispelling the air-cus' ion beneathwork upon the platen, comprising a eXibly-mounted normally elevated presser member arranged to travel with the writing mechanism during letter and line spacing, and means whereby.

escasa" said member is depressed and raised into and out of forcible contact at or 'near the print ing-pointwith-gwork upon the'platen at moments just prior tothe impact oi the type 7o.

and after such impact respectively.

7. In a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanism of a flat-platen type-Writer, ally and longitudinally traveli ig and line spacing res ectively; o means for dispelling the air-cus ion'beneath work upon the platen, comprisin' a `ileXibly-mourited presser member carriedj bythe writin mechanismy and actuated thereb intoan cnt of forcible contact at ornear t e printing-point the 'latter' latere* for letter with work upon the platen at ymoments Just prior to the impact of the'type and after such impact respectively. I

8. In a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanism of a nat-platen type-writenthe latterftransversely movablefor letter-spacing and longitudinally movable for line-spacing; of means for dispelling the air-.cushion beneath workuponl the platen, mounted presser lmember transversely arid longitudinally movable with the 'Writing mechanism and actuated thereby previous to each depression of a'type to ress Work against 'the flat platen at or' near t e printing-poma;

removed during' the such pressure being movement of the writing mechanism for letter-spacing'.

9. In a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the Writing mechanism of a fiat-platen type-writer, vthe latter laterally andl longitudinally travelin on beneath work upon dispellingthe air-cus a ileX-ibl -mounted pressed and raised into-and out of forcible* contact with worklupon the platen immediately inclosing the printing-point at moments justprior to t e impact of the t'ype and after such impact respectively.

w 1.0. Ina type-writer,

the platen and the latlaten writing mechthe combination with IOO for letterl and linespacing respectively; o 4. meansffor lewith t e Writing' anism the latterlateral y and longitudinally i .traveling for letter and line spacing res ectively; of means for disp'ellin'gtbe `air-eus 'on beneath Work upon' the platen, coni rising a flexibly-mounted spring presser mem er movable with the writing mechanism, and means v. whereby saidmember depressed and raised ble contactA with. Work into andput of forci upon the platen at or `near the printing-point l.

at moments just rior to the impact of'the type and after suc i imptlict respectively.

1 1. In a writing-mac lne, the combination Awith the platen and the writing mechanism of a fiat-platen type-writer fof a movable member actuated by the Writing mechanism -to comprising a flexibiy- '9o 'seams Y have a' down-and-.up movement at moments prioto the impact of a type and after such -impact respectively, and a presser member acl tuated bysaid movable member to force work against the flat platen at 0r near the printingpoint. Y

12. In a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the traveling writing mechanism of a v flat-platen type-writer; of a lmovable member carried by the writing mechanism and actuated thereby to have a down-and-u p movement at times prior to the impact of a type and after such impact-respectively,- and a presser member movable with the writing mechanism and actuated by said movable. member to force work against the Vllat platen at or near the printing-point.

13. In a writing-machine, the combination with the platen. and the traveling Writing mechanism ol a ilat-pla'ten type-Writer; of a ribbonguide actuated to have a downand-up movement at times prior to the impact of the type and after such impact respectively,and a presser member movable with the writing 'mechanism actuated by thc ribbonmide to force work against the 'llat platen at or near the printing-point.

14. .ln a wrltmg-maclnne, the combination with the platen and the traveling writing `mechanism ol' a lat-platen-type-Writer; of a riblmn-guid'e carried by the writing mechanism andactuated thereby to have a downand-up movement at times prior to the impact ofthe type Aand after such impact respectively, and a centrally-open spring presser member .mounted on the ribbon guide and carried thereby into torci ble contact with work uponthe platen inclosing the printing-point.

,15. vln a llat-platen type-writer and in combination with the ila-t platen thereof, the printing mechanism, and a ribbon-lifting mechanism therer'm; a presser member carried by the latter and arranged to hold the .paper in contact with the ilat platen at or near theprinting-point when the printing mechanism is actlmted to print.

16. ln a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanism ot a {lat-platen type-writer; of a ribbonguide thereon and actuated thereby toward and from the platen at moments prior to the impact of the type and after such impact respectively, and a presser member carried by. the ribbon-guide and arranged to press work against the platen at or near the printing-noi nt upon the depression ol' the guide.

17. In a writing-machine, the combination with the platen and the writing mechanism of a flat-platen type-writer; of a ribbonguide actuated thereby toward and from the platen, devices on the guide for holding the ribbon, and a paperresserl arranged to eX- ert a pressure on tre paper adjacent the printing-point, Asaid paper-presser being carried by the ribbon-guide and located between vand below said devices so as to clear the ribbon.

18. ln a writing-inachine, the combination with the platen and the' traveling writing Amechanism ci a flat-platen type-writer; of

an oscillating device pivoted to said writing mechanism on a transverse axis and actuated thereby into forcible contact with work upon the platen prior to the impact of each type.

1S). ln a writing-machine, the combination with the platen andthe traveling writing' mechanism of a ilat-platen type-writer of an oscillating device pivoted at its rear end toV said mechanism and projecting forward therefrom to inclose the printing-point, and

connection between said device and the writing mechanism whereby the former is,-A

depressed into forcible Contact with work` prior to the impact oi each able i'or letter-spacing; of an oscillating de- 10 vice pivoted at its rear end to said support and projecting vforward therefrom over the printing-point, and connection between said device and the writing mechanism whereby the former is forced against. work upon the platen prior to the impact oi each type.

In testimony whereol" :l a'llix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. GEORGE W. DONNING.

'Vtnesses z ANmnaw W. S'rmcnn, JonN it. lVn/rsnc. 

